Army to raid cultists’ hideouts in Rivers – Spokesman

The 2 Brigade of Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt, Rivers State said on Tuesday it would soon raid hideouts of cultists who recently killed soldiers in the state.
Captain Eli Lazarus, the spokesman of the Brigade, told newsmen that the spate of killings by cultists was alarming.
Lazarus said recent killings by cultists and cult related activities had posed serious security threat to safety of residents and businesses in the state.
According to him, soldiers were killed during a recent mayhem unleashed by cultists in some communities in Ikwerre and Emuoha Local Government Areas of the state.
He said: “In the past few days, cult clashes were recorded with several deaths, including our personnel, who were part of the team that responded to distress calls in the area.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that these barbaric and condemnable acts were clashes of dominance between Icelanders and other cult groups.
“This is seemingly motivated by the quest for economic advantage suspected to be connected to oil theft and illegal bunkering.
“The viciousness and bestiality displayed by these cultists in killing their rivals have no place in any civilised society, and as such, they must never be allowed to go unpunished.
“The cultists are hereby warned to surrender their arms and turn away from their evil ways as any such attacks on any community will be met with full military action.”
Lazarus said anyone caught belonging to cult group would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
He said youths must be guided to prevent self destruction, adding that parents should closely watch their children and wards to prevent them being wrongly influenced by peer groups.
The army spokesman urged residents to remain calm and go about their lawful activities as security agencies would continue to work assiduously to protect lives and properties in the state.
He said: “Additionally, information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators of these heinous crime and their patrons is solicited from the general public.
“We assure that all information volunteered in this regard will be kept in utmost confidentiality.”